Football World Cup 2014 Knockouts

The FIFA Football World Cup is past the group stages now.

After a scintillating 48 matches between 32 top countries across the world, the battle lines are drawn between 16 nations in the knock out stage of the tournament. From now on, the mantra is clear - Win or Go Home !

World Cup Football 2014 Knockouts

The battle has already started last night with the first two knockouts.

Brazil had an exceptionally tough game against Chile. The score was tied 1-1 at the end of full time and at the end of extra time. This led to to he first penalty shoot out at the 2014 World Cup.

While Brazil had the experience of multiple penalty shootouts at the Cup, it was the first one for Chile. Both Brazil and Chile faltered and kept their nerve equally in the shoot out, scoring 2 goals each from the first 4 kicks.

Neymar took the last kick for Brazil, and scored a goal. Jara took the last spot kick for Chile, and hit the right post. Chile had faltered on the last step, and Brazil was into the quarter finals, sending the entire nation into frenzy.

Uruguay entered the knock out stage with their talisman Luis Suarez cooling his heels at his home, following a "biting" incident in the last group match against Italy. Colombia came up trumps in this encounter, beating Uruguay, with James Rodriguez scoring two goals. 

Football World Cup 2014 Emotions

It has been a tournament of goals, with a total of 140 goals being scored till date. This makes it almost 2.8 goals from each match, making it a spectator's delight. 

The next set of matches promise to be cliff hangers.

Holland take on Mexico. Both countries are in great form. The Dutch will have to keep their cool in the hot and humid Brazilian weather to make it to the next stage. They have their star striker Van Persie back in the fray to take them to the next stage.

Costa Rica Vs Greece is a match between two teams who started the Cup as long shots. While Costa Rica have played fabulous football topping the Group of Death which involved Uruguay, Italy and England. Greece have played ultra defensive, scoring just 2 goals in their group stages. Costa Rica have an upper hand in this match.

France take on Nigeria on the 30th of June. The French are in sublime form having scored 8 goals in the group stages. Considering the form book, they are expected to beat Nigeria.

Football World Cup 2014 Fans

Germany take on Algeria in another battle between an European and African nation. With an exceptionally strong team, and a superb bench strength, the Germans sailed past Portugal, Ghana and the US. Germany should go through in this match to keep up the excitement at the cup going. Algeria will have to display immense skill and a much larger temperament to play giant killers.

Argentina Vs Switzerland promises to be a battle royale. Argentina won all their 3 matches, relying heavily on their star striker Lionel Messi to take them past the post in each of the 3 matches.  Argentina scored 6 goals with Messi scoring 4 of them. Switzerland have scored more goals than them - 7 of them in the group stages. Argentina will be looking up to the heavens and Messi to take them into the quarter finals.

Belgium and the US take on each other in the last of the round of 16 matches. Both are underdogs in the knock out stages of the tournament, with Belgium holding a slight upper hand. However, with German coach Klinsman guiding the fortunes of the USA, the US could spring a surprise to setup a quarter final date with Argentina.

World Cup Football Emotions

All said and done, the next few days promises to be extremely exciting. A single mistake can send a nation into despair. A single move of sublime football will send a country into frenzy. 

These are the days of big match temperament. The ability to keep your cool & the art of keeping heat butts and bites out of the way, can take a nation to the doorsteps of glory. 

Of course there can be giant killers lurking on the sidelines. The super substitutes can come onto the field, and take the game away from the opponents with a fabulous long ranger, or a close header.  If their opponents play strong football, the Dutch, Argentina and Germany may even be on the way home.

However, if all teams play to their strengths, I would put the following line up for the next stages.

Quarter Finals

Brazil Vs Colombia (Already Decided)

France Vs Germany

The Netherlands Vs Costa Rica

Argentina Vs Belgium

At this quarter final stage, the countries are just 3 matches away from holding the Cup.

My Semi Final Line Up is as below :-

Brazil Vs Germany

The Netherlands Vs Argentina

If indeed the semi final line up comes up as I say, it will be delight for each and every football fan. The biggest countries in world football, with the most talented players, will take on each other to win the World Cup 2014.

After this, it is anybody's game. The team who plays the best on the given day, with a bit of luck on their side, and with lots of God's blessings will come up trumps.

Germany vs Argentina is my choice for the Finals.

Am I correct? Only time and tell.

Until then, you can sit back and watch the matches.